Hi Steve,
I also have 2 Tr3s. I restored my '58 2 years ago. I spent about $6,500 total
for
parts, $500 for paint, $200 for miscellaneaous supplies (like sandpaper, bondo,
wire brushes, parts cleaners, etc.),and $200 for the engine machine shop work.
I did all the labor myself (including the paint and bodywork). A large portion
of the parts cost went into the engine ($2500, as I put in Webers, Mallory, Big
bore kit, etc.) I also replaced a lot of sheet metal ($1500 for 10 pieces). I
replaced
most of the interior upholstery myself at no cost, as I have access to the
materials and
industrial sewing machines .I cleaned the body and the entire frame using a
sander and
an electric drill with a wire brush.(This took forever!!!). I did the welding
with a
wire-feed mig welder using great care not to burn through the sheet metal. 2/3
of the
parts came from MOSS and the rest from VBL. I replaced all rubber and chrome.
The entire
restoration took one year (about 600 hours).
I'm currently in the process of restoring my '60 TR3A. After many responses and
much
discussion from people on this list, I decided to have all the sheet metal,
body,
and frame "dipped" instead of sandblasting or wire brushing. This cost me $760
total
and came out nice. The only sheet metal that needs replacing is the battery box
and the
trunk floor, as the rest looks pretty good. I'm getting ready to buy paint and
parts. I
now have a portable sandblaster, so I will use it on some of the small parts,
along with
the wire brush/drill. I have already purchased most of the engine parts from
BPNW, but plan
to buy the rest of the parts from MOSS and VBL (50/50). I have never done
business with TRF,
but may give them a call before I order the rest of my parts. I estimate the
total
restoration to cost $6,500.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you need more info.
Jeff Williamson
Belleville, MI
'58 TR3A
'60 TR3A
>Hi. I am in the planning stages of restoring 2 TR3s simultaneously with my
>son. I have some body & fender and mechanical experience. Also have owned
>many British cars in the past. but what I need to know is the straight
>answers to a few basic questions before we start:
>1. Can it be done for $10,000 or less for each car?
>2. Sand blast or chem dip the body and frame?
>3. sandblast cabinet or portable blaster or both?
>3. What's the best method or machine to weld floor pans and various sheet
>metal.
>4. Who is the best supplier for parts, Roadster Factory, Moss or ????
>The 2 cars are apart (the chassis on one has already been "restored") I
have
>another rolling frame/body and parts, a whole lot of new parts, and two
other
>drivers (one has no rust at all but the panels don't line up real well)
>Well that's about it in a nut shell. Can you give me any helpful hints?
>Thanks, Steve
>
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